Space Explorers
This Web Quest focuses on features of the eight planets of our solar system. In this investigation, you will research, collect and use data about the planets in our solar system, in order to assess their suitability for human settlement.
This Web Quest focuses on features of the eight planets of our solar system. In this investigation, you will research, collect and use data about the planets in our solar system, in order to assess their suitability for human settlement.
Instructions:
Each group of students will collect data on one planet. You are required to collect information from more than one website. You must collect the following data. Record your data on the Retrieval Chart you have been issued.
Each group of students will collect data on one planet. You are required to collect information from more than one website. You must collect the following data. Record your data on the Retrieval Chart you have been issued.
- Time it takes for your planet to revolve around the sun
- The length of each day
- Size of the planet (diameter and mass)
- Distance of the planet from the sun
- Number of moons
- Average surface temperature
- Is it a gas planet or made of rock?
- Investigate the role of light energy in how observe the Sun, Moon and planets
The following links should be used to access required videos and interactive activities.
1. ‘Bill Nye bikes the distance between planets’, from The kids should see this website, http://thekidshouldseethis.com/post/80268526000
Pluto was considered to be a planet when the video was made, but is now classified as a dwarf planet
2. ‘Planets of the Solar System 2015’, The Planets Today.com website, http://www.theplanetstoday.com/solar_system_video.html
3. ‘A live view of the solar system’, The Planets Today.com website, http://www.theplanetstoday.com/ to see how the different orbital periods of the planets affect their relative distance from each other over a longer period of time.
Websites
- ‘How far are the planets from the Sun?’, Universe today website, http://www.universetoday.com/15462/how-far-are-the-planets-from-the-sun/
- 'The planets of the solar system’, The Planets website, http://theplanets.org/
- ‘Interesting facts about space’, Space Facts website, http://space-facts.com/
- ‘The Sun and the planets’ BBC Solar System website, http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/space/solarsystem/sun_and_planets
- ‘Planets Solar System Exploration’, NASA website, https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/planets/
- ‘The Solar Map’, The Planets today.com website, http://www.theplanetstoday.com/images/solar_system_map.jpg
- Nasa Space Place, spaceplace.nasa.gov/review/dr-marc-space/sunlight.html
- ABC Meet The Neighbours, www.abc.net.au/science/space/planets/sun.htm
Aboriginal Astronomy
Observations of the night sky
Australian Aboriginal astronomy refers to Indigenous Australian culture relating to astronomical objects and their motions on the sky. Some Aboriginal groups use the motions of celestial bodies for calendar purposes. Many attach religious or mythological meanings to celestial bodies and phenomena. While there are various astronomical traditions in Australia, common themes and systems occur between groups. |
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Visit the Following Websites
To learn about Djulpan - The Celestrial Canoe.
aboriginalastronomy.blogspot.com/2011/07/djulpan-celestial-canoe.html
ABC Science - Beginners Guide to the Night Sky (Virtual Tour - Click on the names of the constellations)
www.abc.net.au/science/starhunt/tour/virtual/
To learn about Djulpan - The Celestrial Canoe.
aboriginalastronomy.blogspot.com/2011/07/djulpan-celestial-canoe.html
ABC Science - Beginners Guide to the Night Sky (Virtual Tour - Click on the names of the constellations)
www.abc.net.au/science/starhunt/tour/virtual/
Watch the following videos and then complete the 'How do Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People Use the Night Sky' worksheet. Note: Video 2 is a radio broadcast.